Welcome to the Student Voice series. The series interviews students in our English-medium programs. We hope these interviews can be helpful to you when thinking about choosing to come to Ritsumeikan University (RU).
Post by International Admissions Office
Throughout my high school years, I have been deeply interested in technology, especially computers and artificial intelligence. When I first started using my high school computer lab, I became curious about how computers could be used to solve everyday problems and support people’s work.
As my interest grew, I began working with my school’s IT department. I helped manage the school website and created web pages, while also assisting the admissions process and entrance exam registrations by maintaining the online systems. These experiences made me realize that I wanted to study technology seriously and build my future around it.
As I started thinking about universities, I spent time researching options in countries like the United States, Australia, and England. At the same time, my older brother, who graduated from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), told me about Ritsumeikan University (RU). He told me that RU was offering an engineering program taught entirely in English, which immediately caught my attention. This was very important for me because it meant I could study technical subjects within an international environment.
I also learned that the Information Systems Science and Engineering (ISSE) Course was moving from the Biwako-Kusatsu Campus to the Osaka Ibaraki Campus. This made the University even more appealing to me, as Osaka is a major city with many companies and opportunities to build professional connections. Compared to other universities I looked at, Ritsumeikan stood out as the best option since it focuses on practical learning rather than just theory.
Another reason I chose RU was its international atmosphere. The University hosts faculty members and students from many different countries, which I felt would allow me to learn from people with diverse backgrounds and make friends from around the globe.
All of these reasons led me to apply to RU and the ISSE Course. The program matches my dream of mastering information technology in a global environment while living in a beautiful city. The combination of a hands-on curriculum, an international community and a great location made Ritsumeikan the perfect choice for me.
The ISSE Course gives students flexibility in how they plan their classes each semester. I usually try to take the maximum number of credits, so my schedule is quite packed, but it is still manageable.
In my first year, most of my subjects focused on building a strong foundation in areas like mathematics, physics, and basic programming. Along with these, the Project-Based Learning (PBL) classes were very helpful because they allowed me to apply what I learned immediately through hands-on work and team projects, which made complex subjects and theories much easier to understand.
In my second year, the classes became more advanced, but the workload remained manageable. We began studying technical subjects in greater detail, such as advanced programming and systems engineering. At the same time, PBL classes remained a central part of the program, giving us more opportunities to work on practical projects and real-world applications.
Overall, the ISSE Course provides great flexibility in schedule planning, allowing it to adapt to how each student organizes their own timetable.
Find out more about the ISSE curriculum
Throughout the ISSE Course, we have worked on several engineering projects through PBL classes every semester. One of the most interesting classes I have taken so far is Project-Based Learning 2. It was especially engaging because it focused not only on theory but also on building projects and applying what we learned to real-world challenges and gaining hands-on experience. It was the first time I worked on a project with such a high level of complexity, and before coming to Ritsumeikan, I could not have imagined being able to handle a task like that.
In this class, my team and I developed a project that used a haptic device to control drones in a virtual environment. A haptic device lets users feel physical sensations, such as vibrations or resistance, through their hands while operating a system. This makes controlling robots feel more natural and precise, and I found this aspect of technology very fascinating. Working on this project taught me how to collaborate with others, solve problems together, and turn abstract ideas into functional systems. Overall, the class was a great experience that gave me the chance to work on a large-scale project as part of a team.
I am still deciding whether to continue my studies in a graduate school or start working. On one hand, I am interested in deepening my knowledge in specialized areas of technology. On the other hand, I would also like to gain practical experience by working in Japan. Right now, I am keeping both options open while carefully considering which path suits me best.
My time at Ritsumeikan University has strongly influenced the way I think about my future. Through classes and projects, I have been able to explore many different areas within information technology, which helped me better understand my own interests and strengths. These experiences gave me a new perspective on the many career paths available after graduation.
Working on hands-on projects, especially those related to robotics and system design, has made me more confident in applying what I learn to real-life situations. Overall, studying at Ritsumeikan has helped me grow both academically and personally.
Find out more about the Career Center
Osaka Social Impact Project: an exchange event for India-Japan collaboration
In addition to my academic studies, I am a member of the Adobe Student Ambassador Program at Ritsumeikan University, where I help organize workshops, create content, and encourage other students to use Adobe tools to express their ideas.
In addition, through information shared at the University and student networks, I have taken part in several cultural exchange events and discussion panels. These experiences included attending the pre-opening of the Jellyfish Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, followed by a group presentation and discussion event at the Expo, as well as the Asia Student Exchange Program between Taiwan and Japan, and the Osaka Social Impact Project, an India-Japan discussion panel where I met Mr. Chandru Appar, the Consul General of India.
Overall, I enjoy being part of student communities that allow me to meet new people, learn about different cultures, and exchange diverse ideas!
I lived in the university dorm for about six months, and it was a very memorable experience. As it was my first time living in a dorm, I did not know what to expect at first, but it became a wonderful opportunity to meet people from different countries and backgrounds.
I made friends from many places, including a floormate from Switzerland who was studying as an exchange student. I also got to know my resident manager, who was a very kind Japanese person and could speak English without any problems. One time, we all had dinner together, and I cooked an Indian meal for them. We enjoyed sharing the food while talking about everything, and it became a special memory for all of us.
The dorm had a multipurpose room with a table tennis table, where we often spent time playing and relaxing together. It was a great place to hang out after class. There were many exchange students living in the dorm, which made the atmosphere lively and international.
Living in the dorm helped me learn about different cultures, share my own, and make lasting friendships. It has been one of the best parts of my university life so far.
Find out more about International Dormitories
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If you are thinking about applying to Ritsumeikan University, don’t hesitate—just go for it! As one of the largest information colleges in Japan, Ritsumeikan offers an incredible environment to grow. I feel so fortunate to be guided by excellent faculty who are not only knowledgeable but also supportive mentors. In and out of the classroom, you will have plenty of chances to interact with students from every corner of the globe, giving you a front-row seat to diverse cultures and fresh perspectives every single day.
Best of Luck!!